Toothpick with floss

ABSTRACT

An oral hygiene device, which is embodied as a toothpick with floss, includes a toothpick body and a floss. The toothpick body has a closed end, an opening end, and a floss cavity formed between the closed end and the opening end, wherein the closed end of the toothpick body forms a tapering end. The floss, having a first end and an opposed second end, is received in the floss cavity of the toothpick body in a hidden manner. The toothpick body is used as a conventional toothpick to effectively remove detritus and plaques from the teeth and is easy to carry. The floss is normally protected within the toothpick body in a hidden manner to keep the floss in a hygiene purpose and is adapted for being pulled out of the floss cavity for flossing.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This is a divisional application that claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §119 to a non-provisional application, applicationnumber 13/068,219, filed May 4, 2011.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as itappears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files orrecords, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an oral hygiene tool, and moreparticular to a toothpick with floss, which forms in a compact structurefor easy carrying and packaging.

2. Description of Related Arts

Gum disease is one of the common dental problems. Periodontal disease,especially in the early stages, is usually not painful such that manypeople having gum disease do not even realize it. Researchers reportthat the gum disease is an infection in the gums caused by the bacteriain plaque, wherein plaque and bacteria build up on and between theteeth. To prevent the gum disease, dentists always suggest having abetter oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly. Accordingly,detritus should be removed from the teeth after a meal in order toprevent the plaque from being built-up. By removing detritus from yourteeth, you can reduce the amount of plaque in your mouth.

Accordingly, toothpicks are considered as the common tool to removedetritus from the teeth, wherein the toothpick generally has one or twosharp ends to insert between teeth to pick up the detritus. Toothpick isa small elongated stick able to effectively remove detritus and plaquesfrom the teeth and is easy to carry. In addition, the toothpicks can becontained in bunch form for packaging. However, holding a toothpick withthe user's hand does not allow the user reach all necessary places inthe mouth. In other words, it is hard to maneuver the toothpick towardsthe back of the mouth, and to clean the inside of the teeth. Inparticular, because of the elongated structure of the toothpick, it isinability for the toothpick to clean properly the space behind thewisdom teeth.

Floss, such as a dental floss, is an alternative tool to removehard-to-reach plaque and/or detritus that toothpick misses. Dental flossis a thin nylon filament adapted to insert between the teeth and scrapalong the teeth sides where the toothpick cannot reach. However, flossesare hard to be used. The user must wrap the floss around the middlefingers and must use the thumb to guide the floss in the right places.Therefore, many user neglect the use of floss since flossing requiresmore time and efforts.

Researches also report that the most effective way to remove plague isto use both toothpicks and flossing. An improved oral hygiene tool, suchas floss pick, combines both the toothpick and floss in one device,wherein the floss pick generally comprises a body having a tapering endin the shape of the toothpick, and two prongs at the opposed end to holdthe floss between the prongs. However, the size of floss pick isrelatively large in comparison with the toothpick. Therefore, the userwill carry the conventional toothpick instead of the floss pick. Inaddition, the length of the floss is fixed by the distance between theprongs to limit the scraping movement along the teeth sides. Theflossing angle of the floss pick is also limited by the arch shaped ofthe body. Therefore, it is hard to maneuver the flossing angle to scrapalong the teeth sides. Most importantly, the floss is normally exposedto the surroundings such that dirt and germs will being attached to thefloss.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a toothpick withfloss, which forms in a compact structure for easy carrying andpackaging.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a toothpick with floss,which combines both toothpick and floss features in one single device.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a toothpick with floss,wherein the floss is normally protected within the toothpick body in ahidden manner to keep the floss in a hygiene purpose.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a toothpick with floss,wherein the using length of floss is adjustable according to the userpreference.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a toothpick with floss,wherein the toothpick body also forms a floss retention frame to holdthe floss at different flossing angles.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a toothpick with floss,which further provides a blushing element along the floss for the userto blush the space between teeth during flossing.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a toothpick with floss,which does not require to alter the original structural design of thetoothpick, so that the present invention is able to incorporate with theconventional toothpick container and the conventional toothpickpackaging method.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a toothpick with floss,wherein no expensive or complicated structure is required to employ inthe present invention in order to achieve the above mentioned objects.Therefore, the present invention successfully provides an economic andefficient solution for providing a compact configuration for combiningthe toothpick with floss.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the description which follows, and may be realized by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appendedclaims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects andadvantages are attained by an oral hygiene device, which comprises atoothpick body and a floss.

The toothpick body has a closed end, an opening end, and a floss cavityformed between the closed end and the opening end, wherein the closedend of the toothpicks forms a tapering end.

The floss, having a first end and an opposed second end, is received inthe floss cavity of the toothpick body in a hidden manner, wherein thefloss is adapted for being pulled out of the floss cavity.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothpick with floss according to afirst preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional of a toothpick with floss according to the abovefirst preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toothpick with floss according to asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a toothpick with floss according to athird preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the toothpick with floss according to theabove third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toothpick with floss according to afourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the toothpick with floss according tothe above fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention,illustrating the y-shaped configuration of the toothpick body and thehandle cap.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the toothpick with floss according to afifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments areprovided in the following description only as examples and modificationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principlesdefined in the following description would be applied to otherembodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applicationswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an oral hygiene device,particularly to a toothpick with floss, according to a first preferredembodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the oralhygiene device comprises a toothpick body 10 and a floss 20.

The toothpick body 10 has an elongated structure adapted for a user'shand to hold the toothpick body 10 as a conventional toothpick. Thetoothpick body 10 has a closed end 11, an opening end 12, and a flosscavity 13 formed between the closed end 11 and the opening end 12,wherein the closed end 11 of the toothpick body 10 forms a tapering end.The tapering end of the toothpick body 10 is a sharp end to insertbetween teeth to pick up the detritus. Accordingly, the toothpick body10 forms with the structure of the conventional toothpick to effectivelyremove detritus and plaques from the teeth and is easy to carry. Inaddition, the toothpick bodies 10 can be contained in bunch form forpackaging. In addition, the closed end 11 of the toothpick body 10 is anangled tapering end such that the user is able to maneuver the toothpickbody 10 towards the back of the mouth and to clean the inside of theteeth, especially to clean properly the space behind the wisdom teeth.

The floss 20 is an elongated filament defining a first end 21 and anopposed second end 22 adapted to insert between the teeth and scrapalong the teeth sides where the toothpick body 10 cannot reach easily.The floss 20 can be flavored or unflavored, and waxed or unwaxed. Also,the floss 20 can be configured as an elongated thread structure or anelongated flat structure.

According to the preferred embodiment, the floss 20 is received in thefloss cavity 13 of the toothpick body 10 in a hidden manner, such thatthe floss 20 is normally stored and concealed within the floss cavity 13to keep the floss 20 clean. In order to use the floss 20, the floss 20is adapted for being pulled out of the floss cavity 12 through theopening end 12 of the toothpick body 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the oral hygiene device further comprises a handlecap 30 detachably coupled at the opening end 12 of the toothpick body 10to enclose the floss cavity 13, wherein the first end 21 of the floss 20is fixed to a detachable end 31 of the handle cap 30 such that when thedetachable end 31 of the handle cap 30 is detached from the toothpickbody 10, the floss 20 is pulled out of the floss cavity 13.

Accordingly, the handle cap 30 is normally coupled with the toothpickbody 10, wherein a breakable notch 101 is formed between the handle cap30 and the toothpick body 10. When a bending force is applied at thebreakable notch 101, the handle cap 30 is detached from the toothpickbody 10. In other words, the breakable notch 101 is formed at theconnection between the opening end 12 of the toothpick body 10 and thedetachable end 31 of the handle cap 30.

According to the preferred embodiment, the second end 22 of the floss 20is a free end that the second end 22 is not fixed to the toothpick body10, such that the floss 20 can be entirely pulled out from the flosscavity 13 of the toothpick body 10 so as to use the floss 20 as theconventional dental floss. Preferably, the length of the floss 20 islonger than the length of the toothpick body 10.

The oral hygiene device further comprises a plurality of bristles 40radially and outwardly extended from at least a portion of the floss 20for performing brushing action during flossing. The bristles 40 arepreferably formed at one end portion of the floss 20, preferably closeto the first end 21 of the floss 20, such that when the floss 20 isinserted between the teeth, the bristles 40 are guided for fittingbetween the teeth and around the gum line to perform the brushing and/orflossing action at the same time so as to remove the detritus and/orplaque on the teeth. It is appreciated that the bristles 40 can beprovided along the floss 20 between the first and second ends 21, 22thereof.

According to the preferred embodiment, the oral hygiene device furthercomprises a solution absorber 50 presoaked with washing solution,wherein the solution absorber 50 is supported within the floss cavity 13of the toothpick body 10 preferably close to the opening end 12 thereofto contact with the floss 20. When the floss 20 is pulled out from thefloss cavity 13, the floss 20 is guided to contact with the solutionabsorber 50 for enabling the washing solution coating on the floss 20.The solution absorber 50 preferably is a sponge or the like, wherein thewashing solution can be retained by the solution absorber 50 for apredetermined time period. Accordingly, the washing solution can bewater or medicament commonly used for removing oral bacterial and badbreath. Therefore, when the floss 20 fits between the teeth and gum lineduring flossing, the washing solution coated at the floss 20 not onlypenetrates through the area between the teeth and around the gum line toremove the stain and bad breath, but also functions as a lubricant tominimize the friction between the floss 20 with the bristles 40 and thegum line so as to control gum disease and reduce uncomfortable feelingto the user. It is worth mentioning that when the floss 20 is pulled outfrom the floss cavity 13, the solution absorber 50 not only contactswith the floss 20 but also contacts with the bristles 40 such that thewashing solution will be coated on the floss 20 and retained at thebristles 40 as well.

It is worth mentioning that the floss 20, the bristles 40 the solutionabsorber 50 are concealed within the floss cavity 13 of the toothpickbody 10 before the handle cap 30 is broken or detached therefrom, so asto prevent any contaminant entering into the floss cavity 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, an oral hygiene device according to a secondembodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the first embodiment,wherein the second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment.As shown in FIG. 3, the second end 22 of the floss 20 is fixed at thetoothpick body 10 at a position close to the opening end 12 thereof forpreventing the floss 20 being completely pulled out of the floss cavity13. Therefore, the user is able to hold the toothpick body 10 and thehandle cap 30 by two hands to maneuver the floss 20 for flossing.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an oral hygiene device according to a thirdembodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the second embodiment,wherein the third embodiment is a further modification of the firstembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the oral hygiene device further comprises a guidingarrangement 60 for retracting the floss 20 back to the floss cavity 13of the toothpick body 10. The guiding arrangement 60 has an elongatedguiding slot 61 formed along the toothpick body 10 and comprises aslider member 62 which is slidably coupled along the guiding slot 61 andis coupled with the second end 22 of the floss 20.

The guiding slot 61 is an elongated straight through slot formed at thecircumferential side of the toothpick body 10 between the closed end 11and the opening end 12, wherein the guiding slot 61 has a predeterminedlength shorter than the length of the toothpick body 10. Accordingly,the guiding slot 61 can be an elongated spiral through slot formed atthe circumferential side of the toothpick body 10. It is worthmentioning that the guiding slot 61 is extended along the toothpick body10 toward the opening end 12 thereof such that the second end 22 of thefloss 20 is fixed at the toothpick body 10 at a position close to theopening end 12 thereof when the slider member 62 is slid toward theopening end 12 of the toothpick body 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the slider member 62 has an inner coupling portionpositioned within the floss cavity 13 to couple with the second end 22of the floss 20 and an outer actuation portion extended out of the flosscavity 13 through the guiding slot 61. Accordingly, when the floss 20 ispulled out from the opening end 12 of the toothpick body 10, the slidermember 62 is slid along the guiding slot 61 toward the opening end 12 ofthe toothpick body 10. When the slider member 62 is slid toward thetapering end (the closed end 11) of the toothpick body 10, the floss 20is retracted back to the floss cavity 13. It is worth mentioning that bysliding the slider member 62 along the guiding slot 61, the user is ableto slidably control a length of the floss 20 being pulled out at theopening end 12 of the toothpick body 10. In addition, the length of theguiding slot 61 should be corresponding to the length of the floss 20being pulled out from the opening end 12 of the toothpick body 10.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an oral hygiene device according to a fourthembodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the second embodiment,wherein the toothpick body 10A has a closed end 11A, an opening end 12A,and a floss cavity 13A. The floss 20A has a first end 21A fixed to thedetachable end 31A of the handle cap 30A and a second end 22A fixed atthe toothpick body 10A at a position close to the opening end 12Athereof. The floss 20A is received in the floss cavity 13A of thetoothpick body 10A in a hidden manner and is normally stored andconcealed within the floss cavity 13A to keep the floss 20A clean,wherein the floss 20A is adapted for being pulled out of the flosscavity 13 A through the opening end 12A of the toothpick body 10A.

The breakable notch 101 A is formed at the connection between theopening end 12A of the toothpick body 10A and the detachable end 31A ofthe handle cap 30A, such that when the bending force is applied at thebreakable notch 101A, the handle cap 30A is detached from the toothpickbody 10A.

The toothpick body 10A further has a retention hole 14A formed betweenthe opening end 12A and the closed end 11A, wherein when the handle cap30A is detached from the toothpick body 10A, a free end 32A of thehandle cap 30A is slidably inserted into the retention hole 14A to forma y-shaped configuration with the toothpick body 10A that the floss 20Aruns between the detachable end 32A of the handle cap 30A and theopening end 12A of the toothpick body 10A. Preferably, the retentionhole 14A is inclinedly formed at the toothpick body 10A to align withthe inserting direction of the free end 32A of the handle cap 30A.

In particular, when the free end 32A of the handle cap 30A is slidablyinserted into the retention hole 14A, the handle cap 30A is inclinedlyextended from the toothpick body 10A at the retention hole 14A thereof.Therefore, a part of the toothpick body 10A, the floss 20A and thehandle cap 30A form a triangular configuration, such that the user isable to hold the toothpick body 10A at the closed end 11 A thereof tomaneuver the floss 20A for flossing.

In order to secure the insertion of the free end 32A of the handle cap30A at the retention hole 14A, the handle cap 30A further comprises astopper 33A provided at the free end 32A thereof to retain the handlecap 30A in position after the free end 32A of the handle cap 30A isinserted into the retention hole 14A of the toothpick body 10A.Accordingly, the stopper 33A can be an elastic element, such as rubber,to secure the connection of the free end 32A of the handle cap 30A atthe retention hole 14A. It is appreciated that two or more retentionholes 14A are spacedly formed at the toothpick body 10A such that theuser is able to selectively insert the free end 32A of the handle cap30A into one of the retention holes 14A to selectively adjust theinclination angle between the toothpick body 10A and the floss 20A so asto selectively control the flossing angle of the floss 20A duringflossing.

It is worth mentioning that the bristles 40 are also provided at thefloss 20A while the solution absorber 50 is also supported within thefloss cavity 13A of the toothpick body 10A at a position close to theopening end 12A thereof to contact with the floss 20A.

As shown in FIG. 8, an oral hygiene device according to a fifthembodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the second embodiment toshow the alternative of the handle cap 30B. The handle cap 30B comprisesa squeezable container for containing a predetermined amount of washingsolution and is arranged in such a manner that when the handle cap 30Bis squeezed, the washing solution is released to coat along the floss20. Accordingly, the handle cap 30B is made of squeezable material,wherein the first end 21 of the floss 20 is fixed to the handle cap 30Bwhile the second end 22 of the floss 20 is fixed at the toothpick body10, such that when a squeezing force is applied at the handle cap 30B,the washing solution is released to flow along the floss 20. It is worthmentioning that the handle cap 30B has a squeezable opening where thesecond end 22 of the floss is fixed thereto such that when the squeezingforce is applied at the handle cap 30B, the washing solution willdischarge at the squeezable opening to flow along the floss 20. Inaddition, the user is able to detach the handle cap 30B from thetoothpick body 10 before applying the squeezing force at the handle cap30B. It is appreciated that the squeezing force can be applied at thehandle cap 30B before the handle cap 30B is detached from the toothpickbody 10, such that the washing solution is discharged to the flosscavity 13 so as to coat along the floss 20. It is worth mentioning thatthe solution absorber 50 is optional. When the solution absorber 50 issupported within the floss cavity 13 of the toothpick body 10, thesolution absorber 50 will absorb the washing solution at the time thehandle cap 30B is squeezed. In other words, the washing solution is notpre-soaked by the solution absorber 50.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oral hygiene device, comprising: a toothpickbody having a closed end, an opening end, and a floss cavity formedbetween said closed end and said opening end, wherein said closed end ofsaid toothpick body forms a tapering end; and a floss, having a firstend and an opposed second end, received in said floss cavity of saidtoothpick body in a hidden manner, wherein said floss is adapted forbeing pulled out of said floss cavity at said first end thereof; and aplurality of bristles radially and outwardly extended from at least aportion of to said floss for performing brushing action during flossing.2. The oral hygiene device, as recited in claim 1, wherein said bristlesare formed at said portion of the floss close to the said end thereof,such that said bristles are guided for fitting between teeth and arounda gum line to perform the brushing and flossing action at the same timeso as to remove detritus and/or plaque on the teeth.
 3. The oral hygienedevice, as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for containingwashing solution, wherein said floss and said bristles are coated withsaid washing solution after said floss is pulled out of said flosscavity.
 4. The oral hygiene device, as recited in claim 2, furthercomprising means for containing washing solution, wherein said floss andsaid bristles are coated with said washing solution after said floss ispulled out of said floss cavity.
 5. The oral hygiene device, as recitedin claim 3, wherein said containing means comprises a solution absorberpresoaked with said washing solution, wherein said solution absorber issupported within said floss cavity and is arranged in such a manner thatwhen said floss is pulled out from said floss cavity, said floss andsaid bristles are guided to contact with said solution absorber forenabling said washing solution coating on said floss and said bristles.6. The oral hygiene device, as recited in claim 4, wherein saidcontaining means comprises a solution absorber presoaked with saidwashing solution, wherein said solution absorber is supported withinsaid floss cavity and is arranged in such a manner that when said flossis pulled out from said floss cavity, said floss and said bristles areguided to contact with said solution absorber for enabling said washingsolution coating on said floss and said bristles.
 7. The oral hygienedevice, as recited in claim 3, wherein said containing means comprises ahandle cap detachably coupled at said opening end of said toothpick bodyand fixed to said first end of said floss, and a squeezable containerintegrated with said handle cap for containing said washing solution,when said handle cap is squeezed, said washing solution is released tocoat at said floss and said bristles.
 8. The oral hygiene device, asrecited in claim 4, wherein said containing means comprises a handle capdetachably coupled at said opening end of said toothpick body and fixedto said first end of said floss, and a squeezable container integratedwith said handle cap for containing said washing solution, when saidhandle cap is squeezed, said washing solution is released to coat atsaid floss and said bristles.
 9. The oral hygiene device, as recited inclaim 1, further comprising a handle cap detachably coupled at saidopening end of said toothpick body and fixed to said first end of saidfloss, wherein said toothpick body further has a retention hole formedbetween said opening end and said closed end, wherein when said handlecap is detached from said toothpick body, a free end of said handle capis coupled at said retention hole that said floss runs between saiddetachable end of said handle cap and said opening end of said toothpickbody.
 10. The oral hygiene device, as recited in claim 6, furthercomprising a handle cap detachably coupled at said opening end of saidtoothpick body and fixed to said first end of said floss, wherein saidtoothpick body further has a retention hole formed between said openingend and said closed end, wherein when said handle cap is detached fromsaid toothpick body, a free end of said handle cap is coupled at saidretention hole that said floss runs between said detachable end of saidhandle cap and said opening end of said toothpick body.
 11. The oralhygiene device, as recited in claim 8, further comprising a handle capdetachably coupled at said opening end of said toothpick body and fixedto said first end of said floss, wherein said toothpick body further hasa retention hole formed between said opening end and said closed end,wherein when said handle cap is detached from said toothpick body, afree end of said handle cap is coupled at said retention hole that saidfloss runs between said detachable end of said handle cap and saidopening end of said toothpick body.
 12. The oral hygiene device, asrecited in claim 9, wherein said handle cap further comprises a stopperprovided at said free end thereof to retain said handle cap in positionafter said free end of said handle cap is inserted into said retentionhole of said toothpick body.
 13. The oral hygiene device, as recited inclaim 10, wherein said handle cap further comprises a stopper providedat said free end thereof to retain said handle cap in position aftersaid free end of said handle cap is inserted into said retention hole ofsaid toothpick body.
 14. The oral hygiene device, as recited in claim11, wherein said handle cap further comprises a stopper provided at saidfree end thereof to retain said handle cap in position after said freeend of said handle cap is inserted into said retention hole of saidtoothpick body.
 15. The oral hygiene device, as recited in claim 1,further comprising a guiding arrangement for retracting said floss backto said floss cavity, wherein said guiding arrangement has an elongatedguiding slot formed along said toothpick body and comprises a slidermember which is slidably coupled along said guiding slot and is coupledwith said second end of said floss in such a manner that when said flossis pulled out from said opening end of said toothpick body, said slidermember is slid along said guiding slot toward said opening end of saidtoothpick body, and when said slider member is slid toward said taperingend of said toothpick body, said floss is retracted back to said flosscavity.
 16. The oral hygiene device, as recited in claim 6, furthercomprising a guiding arrangement for retracting said floss back to saidfloss cavity, wherein said guiding arrangement has an elongated guidingslot formed along said toothpick body and to comprises a slider memberwhich is slidably coupled along said guiding slot and is coupled withsaid second end of said floss in such a manner that when said floss ispulled out from said opening end of said toothpick body, said slidermember is slid along said guiding slot toward said opening end of saidtoothpick body, and when said slider member is slid toward said taperingend of said toothpick body, said floss is retracted back to said flosscavity.
 17. The oral hygiene device, as recited in claim 8, furthercomprising a guiding arrangement for retracting said floss back to saidfloss cavity, wherein said guiding arrangement has an elongated guidingslot formed along said toothpick body and comprises a slider memberwhich is slidably coupled along said guiding slot and is coupled withsaid second end of said floss in such a manner that when said floss ispulled out from said opening end of said toothpick body, said slidermember is slid along said guiding slot toward said opening end of saidtoothpick body, and when said slider member is slid toward said taperingend of said toothpick body, said floss is retracted back to said flosscavity.
 18. The oral hygiene device, as recited in claim 15, whereinsaid slider member has an inner coupling portion positioned within saidfloss cavity to couple with said second end of said floss and an outeractuation portion extended out of said floss cavity through said guidingslot to slidably control a length of said floss being pulled out at saidopening end of said toothpick body.
 19. The oral hygiene device, asrecited in claim 16, wherein said slider member has an inner couplingportion positioned within said floss cavity to couple with said secondend of said floss and an outer actuation portion extended out of saidfloss cavity through said guiding slot to slidably control a length ofsaid floss being pulled out at said opening end of said toothpick body.20. The oral hygiene device, as recited in claim 17, wherein said slidermember has an inner coupling portion positioned within said floss cavityto couple with said second end of said floss and an outer actuationportion extended out of said floss cavity through said guiding slot toslidably control a length of said floss being pulled out at said openingend of said toothpick body.